초록 ▼

An engine control system for managing lean NOx trap decontamination uses associated fuel economy impacts to determine when decontamination is enabled. In particular, a maximum achievable benefit provided by lean operation with a decontaminated NOx trap, a present fuel economy benefit being provided

An engine control system for managing lean NOx trap decontamination uses associated fuel economy impacts to determine when decontamination is enabled. In particular, a maximum achievable benefit provided by lean operation with a decontaminated NOx trap, a present fuel economy benefit being provided by lean operation, and a fuel economy penalty for performing decontamination are used. When a resulting benefit is greater than a penalty, decontamination is enabled.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for determining a penalty of a decontamination cycle, the decontamination cycle for an emission control device coupled to an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: calculating an excess quantity of fuel used during any decontamination cycle that removes sulfur compounds th

1. A method for determining a penalty of a decontamination cycle, the decontamination cycle for an emission control device coupled to an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: calculating an excess quantity of fuel used during any decontamination cycle that removes sulfur compounds that are contaminating the emission control device; and generating the penalty based on said excess quantity of fuel, wherein said generating further comprises generating the penalty based on said excess quantity of fuel and a distance traveled between decontamination cycles. 2. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said decontamination cycle comprises operating the engine at near stoichiometric operation or rich operation when the emission control device is above a predetermined temperature. 3. The method recited in claim 1 further comprises determining whether to enable decontamination cycles based on the penalty. 4. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising adjusting an engine operating parameter based on the penalty. 5. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said decontamination cycle reduces Sox stored in the emission control device. 6. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising storing the penalty as a function of an operating condition. 7. The method recited in claim 6 wherein said operating condition is vehicle speed.